Pocket vanity case



Sept. 28, 1937.

M. WEISZ POCKET VANITY CASE Filed April 24, 19:57

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Patented Sept. 28, 1937 UNITED STATES POCKET VANITY CASE .Matthias Weisz, Vienna, Austria, assignor to Evans Case Company, a corporation of Massachusetts Application April 24, 1937, Serial No. 138,838 In Austria July 9, 1936 11 Claims.

This invention relates to a'new and improved type of powder-box or vanity-case. It is a matter of common experience that in articles of this description powder tends to collect on the surface of the mirror normally provided on the inside of the lid, even when the stock of powder is covered over by a fine gauze screen, with the result that the mirror has to be wiped clean almost every time the case is used. For this reason it has been proposed to cover over the powder container with a protecting sheet of as dense a fabric as possible, which has to be pushed back so that it becomes gathered in folds every time the case is used before powder is taken, and then drawn forward again over the top of the powder well before closing the case. Protecting sheets of this description have the disadvantage that, after prolonged use, the folds can no longer be flattened out perfectly, and that the employment of a perfectly dust-tight material for this purpose, such as a rubber diaphragm or piece of rubberized fabric, is not feasible since such material does not admit of being laid in folds.

It has also been proposed to provide protecting sheets consisting of celluloid, leather, or laminae attached to fabric or the like, and consequently flexible and at the same time stiff enough to admit of being slid into a space beneath the powder well. Arrangements of this type are relatively complicated, and do not provide sufiicient ease or reliability in use, since the rollable protecting sheet is apt to cross-bind in passing over the guide roller at the end of the container at which it enters the housing or concealing space beneath the bottom of the powder well; moreover, protecting sheets of this description do not fit adequately tightly against the sides of the powder Well.

The present invention provides means in connection with powder-boxes or vanity-cases for the protection of the mirror from becoming coated with powder, in which the above-described drawbacks are completely obviated, and which,

while being extremely simple in construction, may be designed very easily in such a manner that the protecting sheet automatically uncovers the powder well when the case is opened and is positively returned into theefiective position by the closing of the case. The invention consists essentially in providing the covering sheet serving to protect the mirror on arotary spindle which isunder the influence of a spring tending to turn it in the direction of winding up the -covering sheet. This sheet is readily unwindable and adapted to be fixed in the efiective mirrorcovering position in a gently tensioned condition. For this purpose the arrangement is preferably such that the protecting sheet is positively unwound from the spindle by the closing of the lid of the case, and is liberated by the opening of the lid so that it becomes automatically rolled up by the action of the abovementioned spring, in the manner of a blind.

A form of construction embodying the invention is shown, by way of example, in the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figs. 1 and 2 show a vanity-case equipped with mirror protecting means in accordance with the invention, in perspective view.

Fig. 3 shows in transverse section, and on a considerably larger scale, the spindle for the protecting sheet or blind.

Figs. 4 and 5 show two further modifications, in section taken at right angles to the hinge axis of the lid of the case.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, the protecting sheet or blind a is secured by one edge to the lid 0 of the case near the hinge 2) thereof, but it may equally well be attached to the under or body portion (1 of the case. The opposite edge of the sheet a is secured to a thin roller or winding spindle 7 supported in the ends of two links g which are pivoted to the lid 0 approximately in the middle of its edges disposed at right angles to the hinge b. The winding spindle f is hollow (see Fig. 3) and contains a small helical spring 72 of which one end is attached to the spindle f and the other to one of the links 0. This spring 12 is initially tensioned and strives to turn the spindle in the direction indicated by the arrow I (Fig. 1), that is to say in the direction of Winding up the sheet a. When the lid is fully open (Fig. 2) the protecting sheet a is wholly or almost wholly wound up on the spindle f, without however completely relieving the tension of the spring it. As the lid 0 closes, the rolled upprotecting sheet a is unwound upon two rails z pertaining to the body (1 of the case and disposed at right angles to the hinge b, in the direction indicated by the arrow II (Figs. 1 and 2), against the action of the spring h. When the case is closed the spindle f is accommodated in a groove iwhich is provided in the under or body part d of the case at the opposite end to the hinge b, and which need only be slightly larger in diameter than the winding spindle since when the case is closed the protecting sheet a is completely unwound from the spindle. When the case is open, the tension of the spring h holds the spindle f and the sheet a wound thereon fast in the vicinity of the hinge b (Fig. 2), and during the closing of the case this spring keeps the rolled sheet pressed against the rails i (Fig. 1).

The rails i and the channel 7' are preferably formed of a frame-like unit 70 adapted for insertion in the under or body portion 12. of the case (Figs. 1 and 2). Since it is constantly under the influence of the spring h, the protecting sheet a bears, when in the effective position, with slight tension upon the rails i and upon the transverse members m joining these rails together, so that the sheet forms an effective seal over the powder well. On the lid there may also be provided ridges or the like 11. corresponding to the rails 11 and cross members in (Fig. 2), so that when the case is closed the protecting sheet a is gently clamped between the elements 11 and m on the one hand and the elements it on the other hand.

The ridges n are preferably provided on the mounting p for the mirror q inserted in the lid 0 of the case (Fig. 2) This mounting or frame p may also serve for clamping the one end of the protecting sheet a, as also for the attachment of the two links 9, with very considerable simplification of the manufacturing process. There may also be provided on the frame p, opposite the groove 7' in the lower part 01 of the case, a shallow groove 1' for the partial reception of the winding spindle f.

The protecting sheet a consists of dust-tight material, for example rubberized or rubbercoated fabric, or thin sheet rubber. If the latter be used the length of the sheet is preferably so dimensioned that the sheet is distended slightly as the end of the closing movement of the lid 0 is approached, with the result that it bears more closely against the edges i and m. The sheet a may be extremely thin, so that it takes up very little space when it is wound up on the spindle f and constitutes no hindrance at all to the manipulation and using of the case, as shown in Fig. 2.

In the modified form of construction shown in Fig. 4 the winding spindle f is .rotatably mounted in a furrow t in the body 11 or inserted frame 70, near the hinge b. The free edge of the protecting sheet a is strengthened by a metal strip s which is connected to the ends of two links g articulated to the lid c or to the mirror mounting 70 approximately in the middle of the edges disposed at right angles to the hinge b. On the closing of the case, the sheet a is unwound from the spindle f and held fast in its effective position, while on the opening of the case it is liberated and wound up again on the spindle j by the action of the spring h.

When in the form of construction shown in Fig. 4 the two links "g are dispensed with, the free edge of the sheet a. is taken hold of with the fingers, before closing the case, pulled forward, and secured to the edge of the body at of the case in any suitable manner. For this purpose the protecting sheet may be provided with a small loop, hook, or the like, for gripping and fastening. The sheet may then be detached at the end and allowed to roll up automatically, after the manner of spring window blinds.

The form of construction shown in Fig. 5 represents a combination of the two last described forms. As in the form shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the protecting sheet a is secured to the lid 0 near the hinge b, while the links 9 carrying the winding spindle f are pivoted to the body portion at of the case in the same manner as protecting sheet become transferred to the mirror.

I claim:

1. In a receptacle, a pair of hinged members, means carried by one member for spreading a sheet over the other member as they swing on their hinge to closed position.

2. In a receptacle, a pair of hinged members,

means carried by one member for causing the members to swing apart on their hinge and for removing a cover from the other member.

3. In a receptacle, a sheet for covering a cavity in the receptacle, and means for automatically placing and removing the sheet as the receptacle closes and opens.

l. In a receptacle, two members, a hinge joining the members at one end, a catch at the other end of the members and holding the members in closed position, a mirror in one member, a frame holding the mirror in the member, lugs on the frame on opposite sides of the mirror, arms each pivoted at one end to the lugs, a spring roller carried by the other ends of the arms, a curtain attached at one end to the roller, means for attaching the other end of the curtain to the other member adjacent the hinge, a powder cavity in the said other member, tracks forming the edges of the cavity, a depression near the catch in the said other member so arranged that as the receptacle is closed the roller runs on the tracks into the depression and lays the curtain over the edges of the powder cavity and the bezel forces the roller into the depression so as to stretch the curtain taut and into snug contact with the sides of the cavity.

5. In a receptacle, means for forcing the receptacle into open position and means operated by the opening means for simultaneously removing a cover from a cavity in the receptacle.

6. In a receptacle, means for openingthe receptacle, and automatic means for covering a cavity therein as the receptacle closes.

7. In a receptacle, two members, a hinge joining the members at one end, a mirror in one member, lugs on the member carrying the mirror and on opposite sides of the mirror, arms each pivoted at one end to the lugs, a spring roller carried by the other ends of the arms, a curtain attached at one end to the roller, means for attaching the other end of the curtain to the other member adjacent the hinge, a powder cavity in the said other member, and tracks forming the edges of the cavity,'so arranged that as the receptacle is closed the roller runs on the tracks and lays the curtain over the edges of the powder cavity.

8. In a receptacle, two members, a hinge joining the members at one end, a mirror in one member, arms each pivoted at one end to the other member, a spring roller carried by the other ends of the arms, a curtain attached at one end to the roller, means for attaching the other end of the curtain to the mirror member adjacent the hinge, a powder cavity in the said other member, and tracks forming the edges of the cavity, so

arranged that as the receptacle is closed the roller 9. In a receptacle, two members, a hinge joining the members at one end, a mirror in one member, lugs on the said member on opposite sides of the mirror, arms each pivoted at one end to the lugs, a spring roller carried in a cavity in the other member, a curtain attached at one end to the roller, means for attaching the other end of the curtain to the other ends of the arms, a powder cavity-in the said other member, and tracks forming the edges of the cavity, so arranged that as the receptacle is closed the curtain is laid over the edges of the powder cavity.

10. In a receptacle, two members, a hinge joining the members at one end, a mirror in one member, a frame holding the mirror in the member, arms each pivoted at one end to the frame, a spring roller carried by the other ends of the arms, a curtain attached at one end to the roller, means for attaching the other end of the curtain to the other member adjacent the hinge, a powder cavity in the said other member, and tracks forming the edges of the cavity so arranged that as the re ceptacle is closed the roller runs on the tracks into the depression and lays the curtain over the edges of the powder cavity and the frame forces the curtain against the track.

11. In a receptacle, two members, a hinge joining the members at one end, arms each pivoted at one end to the other member, a spring roller carried by the other ends of the arms, a curtain attached at one end to the roller, means for at taching the other end of the curtain to the mirror member adjacent the hinge, a powder cavity in the said other member, a depression near the hinge in the said other member to receive the roller when the receptacle is open and a depression in the other member so arranged that as the receptacle is closed the roller runs into the depression and lays the curtain over the edges of the powder cavity and the mirror member forces the roller into the depression so as to stretch the curtain taut and into snug contact with the sides 20 of the cavity.

MATTHIAS WEISZ. 

